A Russian Diary
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"Suppression of freedom of speech, of expression, reaches its savage ultimate in the murder of a writer. Anna Politkovskaya refused to lie in her work; her murder is a ghastly act, and an attack on world literature."
-Nadine Gordimer
"Like all great investigative reporters, Anna Politkovskaya brought forward human truths that rewrote the official story. We will continue to read her, and learn from her, for years."
-Salman Rushdie
"It is a blow to the entire democratic, independent press. It is a grave crime against the country, against all of us."
-Mikhail Gorbachev
"From the Trade Paperback edition."
-Nadine Gordimer
"Like all great investigative reporters, Anna Politkovskaya brought forward human truths that rewrote the official story. We will continue to read her, and learn from her, for years."
-Salman Rushdie
"It is a blow to the entire democratic, independent press. It is a grave crime against the country, against all of us."
-Mikhail Gorbachev
"From the Trade Paperback edition."
Viv Groskop, Observer
`by turns depressing and illuminating'
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41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Modern Russia exposed.,
By russell clarke "stipesdoppleganger" (halifax, west yorks) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: A Russian Diary: With a Foreword by Jon Snow (Hardcover)
I have a feeling that if a section of the Great British population were to be questioned about Vladimir Putin , a sizeable proportion wouldn't know who he was but of those that did a decent percentage would have no idea about Putin,s governments many abuses of power .He appears to be an acceptable player on the world stage unlike say Robert Mugabe but is also guilty of many of the punitive measures of the African dictator. Anna Politkovskaya was the one real voice of truth emerging from within Russia itself, and it cost her her life -shot four times in the head in October 2006 in her Moscow apartment. She died because she wrote books like this one.
Covering the period from the Russian parliamentary elections of 2003 to the dreadful conclusion of the Beslan siege in 2005 A Russian diary is devoid of personal detail so it less a diary and more a terrible narrative of Russian political life over a two year period. It's a staggering indictment of Putins presidency as the reforms of the 1990,s are swept away to be replaced by a system that facilitates ballot rigging, suppression of the media and the illegal marginalisation of all political opposition. This is an oligarchy that is not shy of ruthlessly removing resistance to their rule with extreme force. This explains why characters in her book suddenly disappear never to be mentioned again , just like in real Russian life. And if they do disappear only to return mysteriously a few days later as in the case of Parliamentary candidate Ivan Rybkin( Who former Russian spy, the assassinated Alexander Litvinenko claims was dosed with psychotropic drugs) they are a shadow of their former selves and have to withdraw from political life. Much of what Politkovskaya writes about is second hand and it's something her critics used to decry her work. Because she didn't witness most of the events recounted here they say it's a work of fiction and as most of her witnesses are the downtrodden- Russian war widows living on a pittance every month, Russians soldiers injured in Chechnya then forsaken by the state- and societal pariahs -traumatised war veterans , human rights campaigners- it lacks credence, after all you are only as reliable as the witnesses you use. But the fact remains if Plitkovskaya hadn't told this story it wouldn't have been told at all and she is also scathing of the democrats . liberals and the Russian population for not mounting a more effective challenge to Putin, though of course what happened to her is hardly likely to change that. Not many people are capable of the bravery of Anna Politkovskaya though. She even see's fit in one instance in this book to badger a Chechen warlord and then accuses the interpreter of the Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov-who is suspected of involvement in her death- of making up his own answers. She refused to bow or be intimidated ,never resorted to obsequiousness . We all like to think we would be the same should we have the opportunity to questions those who misuse power but the truth is very few of us would. That's the most overwhelming reason why this book deservers to be read by as many people as possible
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought Provoking.,
This review is from: A Russian Diary: With a Foreword by Jon Snow (Paperback)
A stark and revealing account of modern day Russia. The very fact that its author was killed in suspicious circumstances, ironically sets the back-drop to the grim realities of living in Russia today. If we can do anything to honour the memory of Anna, then you should buy this book and try to comprehend the real story behind the Red Curtain! If nothing else, it clearly demonstrates the weakness and cowardice of other world leaders who visit Moscow and choose to ignore the realities of daily life in this great country.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tragic but true- must for anyne who has interest in Russian current affairs,
By Nomad in Caledonia (Scotland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Russian Diary: With a Foreword by Jon Snow (Paperback)
It's a book written by modern day Sakharov- person with high conscience who couldn't be bought out or intimidated by the adverse regime. It describes the corruption, violence and utter cynicism of the regime that is hiding behind the rosy reports of the Kremlin controlled media including Russia Today. As an insider to the society, Politkovskaya had knowlege and trust from other people to investigate and report on Putin's quelling of the dissent, terror in Chechnya and corruption, the main themes of her essays and reports. Apart from meticolous collection of heart breaking facts indicting the regime, this book contains excellent discussion and analysis of the Russian society including very astute observations as to why 'democratic forces' were unable to raise to the challenge. It is also a testament to the journalistic talent of Politkovskaya as interviewer in how well she manages to uncover personalities in only the few minutes of interview, do read her both frightening and hilarious unmasking of Ramzan Kadyrov.
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